We tend not to think of humility having much to do with leadership. Leaders, after all, are people who seek opportunities to lead, which might be the opposite of humility.
We see humility as being a little insecure. We believe that people with humility shy away from the spotlight, avoid becoming the center of attention. We see leaders as being happy to be out in front. We assume leaders are dynamic and charismatic.
I do not perceive humility as a lack of confidence. It takes a lot of self-awareness to be humble.
Humility is a result of knowing ourselves well. We work hard to get beneath the surface, to know ourselves intimately. We explore, discovering the qualities we try to keep hidden. Knowing ourselves as well as we do, we can be honest about who we are. We no longer need to be perfect. We can become ourselves.
We do not need other people to see us as good at everything. We do not need to see ourselves as good at everything.
This humility, growing from understanding and appreciating ourselves, is essential to effective leadership.
The leaders who inspire me spend the time and effort to know themselves well. They are honest with themselves about who they really are. They break down the facades we construct and share themselves with the people around them.
The leadership that inspires me does not come from a title or place in an organization. Each of us can become the leader we have the potential to be. The first step is knowing ourselves well.
I talk with people each week to help them explore and discover their hidden depths. Together we build the humility they need to become stronger leaders.
When have you lead from humility?
How do you work to know yourself well?
[Image by jglsongs]
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